Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and patient with President Bola Tinubu’s administration, assuring that the government’s ongoing reforms are laying the foundation for lasting prosperity.
Speaking as chairman at the Second Plenary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), Akpabio likened Nigeria’s nation-building process to the construction of a cathedral. “Do not despair when the winds blow strong or the scaffolding shakes,” he said. “A nation is like a mighty cathedral; it is not raised overnight, but stone by stone, prayer by prayer, hand by hand. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.”
He called for unity and cooperation across all sectors of society, saying: “Let us bind the wounds of division, banish the cynicism of despair, and walk together—Church and State, pulpit and parliament, faith and policy—towards a brighter dawn. Transformation is not the burden of one arm of society, nor the privilege of a select few; it is a covenant of partnership.”
Representing President Tinubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to stabilising the economy, attracting investments, and creating opportunities for all Nigerians. “This administration is determined to renew hope and build a Nigeria that works for everyone,” Akume said.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, praised the Catholic Church for its role in advancing justice and democracy globally. He highlighted his government’s poverty alleviation initiatives and called for continued collaboration between the Church and government to uplift the poor and vulnerable.
The gathering brought together Catholic bishops from across Nigeria, clergy, lawmakers, political leaders, and the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Rev. Michael Crotty, who conveyed Pope Leo’s blessings and solidarity with the Nigerian Church. The overall message from Akpabio and the conference underscored that Nigeria’s transformation requires patience, shared responsibility, and renewed commitment to unity and faith.
